Not ready to crown a champ

The Patriots are NOT the greatest thing since sliced bread. Let me repeat that. The 2007 New England Patriots are not Super Bowl champions. No champion will emerge until Feb. 3, 2008.

I feel the need to say this because too often in our snap-reaction society, when things go a certain way in the beginning that's what it is labeled as immediately. People talk about how these Patriots might be the greatest team ever, surpassing even the 1972 undefeated Dolphins. Sure, that Miami team probably wasn't the best ever in looking back on the manner in which it won, but it also won all 17 games it played. The Patriots have only won 10 games so far. They have to win nine more to finish undefeated with the Super Bowl win.

Especially in this salary cap era, every team has at least one vulnerability. Al Michaels right now is talking about how the Patriot defense likes to buckle down on the outside and leave the middle open. Lo and behold, that's where Eagles quarterback A.J. Feely is attacking — with success. But maybe, just maybe, The strength of Tom Brady and the passing game hurts the rest of the team. Other than Indy, they haven't been in a close game. So they haven't had to practice mental toughness. Brady's been throwing it all over the place. At halftime against Philly, the Pats had a total of two rushing attempts. So the running game is completely untested. Maroney is a talent, but Sammy Morris is injured and Maroney has been injured quite a bit.

I know the Pats are incredible this year. I won't argue that. Just don't forget the 2003 Oklahoma Sooner football team was the greatest college team ever and went out and lost its last two games of the year, the Big 12 and national championships. Look at how good the Chicago Bears were considered last year before Rex Grossman became gross.

The season is long for a reason: so the cream rises to the top, so a team is tested in every facet, so the best perform in brightest of spotlights.